Wendy's adoption program worth cost

Nothing is more heartbreaking than a child without a family. So what if someone had a method that would double, or even triple, the chances of a child finding an adoptive home?

What if this strategy not only could greatly reduce the chances of a young person becoming homeless, going to prison or living in poverty, but also immediately save taxpayers millions of dollars in foster-care payments?

That is exactly what the Columbus-based Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has accomplished through its Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. Since 2004, the program has provided local adoption agencies with grants to hire recruiters who zero in on one thing: finding the right family for a child lingering in the foster-care system.

Wendy's program starts with the premise that the label of "unadoptable" is unacceptable. So instead of sorting through a pool of willing adoptive families and trying to match them with available children, these adoption recruiters really get to know a child, then go looking for the right parents, even those who might not have considered adopting. Yet ?.

That this approach works is verified by independent research studies and by a new investment of state dollars that is greatly expanding the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. Ohio officials last spring announced they would put $2.3 million in state and federal money into the effort. This has allowed the program, which serves 55 of Ohio's 88 counties, to hire an additional 29 adoption recruiters; it previously had just seven recruiters in the state.

This is a great investment, both for the children and for the taxpayers.

Are we doing enough to protect victims of domestic violence?

Two fatal shootings in northern Ohio this week are the latest reminders domestic violence can occur anywhere, anytime, and is always too close to home.

The senseless deaths of Kaitlin Gerber and Amy Ross should compel communities to review if they are doing enough to protect domestic violence victims.

On (March 25), Gerber, 20, of Toledo, was shot outside a Toledo gym by a former boyfriend, who then took his own life at his Maumee home. Authorities have learned that Jashua Perz, 29, had been stalking Gerber in recent weeks and had previously threatened other family members with violence.

On (March 28), Randall J. Ross, 47, of Fremont, was arrested after police said he shot and killed his estranged wife, Amy, 40, at an Oak Harbor residence where she had moved recently following alleged abuse by her husband. Randall Ross shot himself twice after shooting his wife, but survives.

The homicides are examples of how toxic relationships can turn tragic ?.

Both shootings will likely lead to inquiries by various authorities into how the cases were handled, and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent such tragedies. In the Gerber case, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine may be asked to investigate.

Recently, a domestic violence task force was revived in Hancock County to better support victims ?.

Meanwhile, the tough questions being asked now in Toledo and Oak Harbor should be asked here, too. Are we doing enough to protect domestic violence victims, and if not, how can we do better?

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Wendy's adoption program worth cost

Nothing is more heartbreaking than a child without a family. So what if someone had a method that would double, or even triple, the chances of a child finding an adoptive home?